Elements & Principles of Design

The principles and elements of design are the basic information one needs to know in order to design a successful space. Without certain factors, a room will just not work; that is something many people do no understand. This is why interior designers must have a basic background knowledge and understanding of the elements and principles. Each one adds its own feeling and appearance to the space.

This picture of the pool facility has great use of line movement and simplicity. The lines in this picture are very powerful and actually move the eye. The lines and movement of the ceiling create a look that opens up that space and also resembles the movement of water. The lines also make the space appear larger in size. I believe that the architecture of this building works amazing with what the space will be used for. Since it is a swimming pool, where people and teams come to practice the space is simple and powerful; this creates an encouraging work zone. With the reflection of the ceiling onto the pool really makes the space come together and look as if it is continuous not only on the ceiling but onto the ground surface. The emphasis used in this piece is in the big white ceiling and then in the center you have a large pool, there is nothing else so you are able to focus on the pool and swimming. The bright blue pool set in a white surrounding area makes the main point of the room stand out from everything else.

 With balanced windows and swimming lanes, the space has balance which is critical when designing a space. One factor that is hard to accomplish when creating a space is harmony. Harmony includes the use of two completely different elements, unity and variety, when a room has both that work, you have accomplished harmony. This pool space achieves it because of the simple use of color, lines, texture and the mix of both variety and unity. These two elements can make or break a room. This design space is a great accomplishment because of how the designer used the elements and principles of design.

Unusual material

In a world that is covered in trash without enough space and time to decompose it, many people have started to recycle and reuse. Not only does this help out the earth but it can also help out your bank account. Recycling and reusing material that can last a long time has great benefits. With a material like glass, that doesn’t decay very well, it can come in handy in other areas.

         Glass material has been used to build walls, houses, artwork and many other everyday objects.  For the most part, bottles are used because they are free and easy to work with. Not only are they cheap but also bottles can be bigger than brick. Bottles can also replace the use of brick or another building material. The use of glass bottles can also bring attention to your building because they are not an everyday material used in buildings. Despite most of their creators' limited experience in construction, and exposure to desert heat, winter snow and neglect, houses have stood up pretty well. Many of the builders speak of a spiritual atmosphere of the buildings' interiors. When the sun hits the bottles, there are said to be kaleidoscopic rays and a stained glass effect.

Because the bottles are made out of glass, they are sustainable and will last longer than if you were to use another material such as paper. You do have to keep in mind though, glass can break and if not properly taken care of the space the bottle was used in can become a disaster.

         Using recycled material to create something new draws others attention and lets them know that they too can do this. When the word is spread, many more people find out and think of other ways to reuse and recycle which turns back around and helps out the earth. So no go out, start collecting, recycling and create something new. You never know you could be the next great artist to use recycled material. 

DESIGN EXPO

        Every year the Design Expo is held in the Merket Alumni Center, this is a great opportunity for interior design students to put their name out there, as well as be aware of the new and upcoming interior trends. Being a second year design major, this was my second year to attend. I have always enjoyed going to this event because it is such an informing event in so many ways. I have been able to gain information mostly about commercial design, which I have found to be interesting. This is also a great opportunity for all of us who are majoring in interior design to gather outside of the studio, get dressed up and spend some time together surrounded by things we love and can appreciate.

            There were many booths at the expo ranging from furniture, flooring, wall coverings and furniture. Personally the Daltile booth interested me the most this year because in our studio class with Collier we are working on a project and submitting it into a competition for Daltile. Getting a chance to see all the new tiles that are being created, how they are being used and the top sellers were helpful with this project.

            Tiles are not a new product, but they are creating new ways to use them. They have become more of a huge art form in houses and commercial spaces. In bathrooms I believe that you are really able to create freely with tiles and they can become a great asset in a bathroom. Tiles are easily cleaned and can upgrade a space.

The Design Expo as a success this year and those who were not able to attend, missed out on getting some great information and great goodies!

Fabric Applications On Campus

Fabric is one thing that is hardly ever used just simply as fabric. There are six main fabric applications that are used today, seating, windows, walls, panel systems, floors and fabric art. When using fabric though, there is not really a correct of incorrect way to use it as long as there is a flow to the room you are using it in, it will work out. Flooring and seating are two fabric applications that are used at a high volume everyday, especially in a corporate public area.

When using fabric as a flooring application it must be very durable because many people will be passing through the space many times a day. In the College of Human Sciences, there is a very durable flooring. This carpet that is placed in the El Centro room, a room that is used for students to hang out in before and after class, meet up with friends and catch up on some homework is a high traffic area. Since this space is used so often the material used for the flooring had to be durable. When an application isn’t durable and cannot stand up to the usage, the material will start to fall apart, fade and look used very quickly. This is not what a client will want when spending money to design a room, you want to be able to use a material that is long lasting and fitting for the space.

The flooring used in Human Sciences was very successful for how long it has been there. With all the traffic going through El Centro and the meetings and gatherings with food and drinks that have been spilled onto the carpet, this material has held up pretty well. El Centro was remodeled a few years ago and the carpeting has lasted so far,  but in years to come it will be interesting to see how it will wear and tear.

ALL ABOUT LOOKS

This cute fabric and upholstery store has the perfect name, All About Looks.  Without knowing what this store was it could be mistaken for  a clothing boutique or a store that sold make up but what this store really focus’ on is the interior of a home or office space.

             Owned by a mom and her two daughters, All About Looks was a very welcoming store. Being a sister and daughter myself, this story they had really caught my attention and I found it to be very interesting that one day they just wanted to start up their own little fabric store. This trip was more interesting then the  Fiber and Biopolymer Research Institute in Lubbock Texas, because it was more relatable to what I look forward to working with. Being able to see the new fabrics that are coming out such as cork and new laser printed material was eye opening.

            As an interior designer you need to be able to keep up with the new fads that are arising and still be able to give your client what they want and know what will work best. Knowing that there are automated blinds now and that blinds with strings are going to be banned from any interior space is something many people out in the world do not know. Going to All About Looks was informative about fabrics, draperies and knowing that its hard to find a good sewer and upholstery person who knows what they are doing.

            Being in the interior design field takes a lot of work and knowledge about fabrics, requirements for different office spaces such as fire retardant, and just by doing a little bit of research you will be able to look up this information. 

Fiber and Biopolymer Research Institute

            The Fiber and Biopolymer Research Institute in Lubbock Texas is a research center where they are able to serve the research needs to manufacturers, cotton breeders and public agencies. They look for ways in which they can improve the quality of cotton. Cotton goes through many tests and cleanings before it can be rated and qualified for different types of fabrics.

            One very important machine used to test fabric is the Martindale Abrasion Tester. This machine tests the abrasion resistance of textile fabrics or the wear ability of a fabric. With a pile depth of .08 inches or greater many difficulties will arise, but other then that you are able to test many kinds of fabrics. In order to test the abrasion resistance the fabric is subjected to a rubbing motion. A felt fabric and worsted wool fabric is used for the abrasion, the two fabrics are placed together flatly on top. A weight is placed on top of the abrasion cloth to give the fabric a better result when being used in everyday life.  The weight is selected according to the test being performed. This Martindale Abrasion machine is programmable to the number of rubs required and the machine will stop automatically when completed. The three options that are used to evaluate a fabric are one, the woven fabric has two or more yarns broken or a hole appears, secondly the end point is reached when there is a change in appearance or shade that is very noticeable to a customer and lastly determine the mass loss and can be expressed as a percentage to the before mass. The Martindale Abrasion Tester is an amazing machine in that it is able to let the manufacturer and buyer know how the fabric holds up over time and how strong or delicate the fabric is.

            Many people go out and buy a sofa or a wearable item that has been made and gone through many tests before it is sold, not knowing how much time and research has gone into that fabric type just for them, the client. Having a research institute right here in Lubbock Texas is such a privilege, and will continue to be one. Informing farmers and manufacturers about their product can help to produce more and at a better quality here, and not overseas. This will bring more revenue into the states rather then somewhere overseas.    

NATURAL FIBERS

The world around you is made up of fibers. Although there are man-made fibers, most prefer the natural fibers. Humans are living in a world right now where organics and very natural substances are more appealing to the human senses. They are more appealing because they are so natural. The feel and texture are more appealing and the color of cotton or wool is more neutral when not dyed, which makes the color of the fabric go with any other color.

One of the most used natural fibers is cotton. One of the biggest cotton brands is ‘Cotton: the fabric of our lives.’ Cotton has a high resistance to sunlight and abrasion. Given that cotton is a natural fiber, it takes on color easily and becomes cool to the touch. Cotton grows easily in a wide range of climates and can be blended with other fibers very easily.  These qualities make cotton a great fabric to work with for clothing and other everyday items. All Americans and many others around the world, because of its softness and flexibility to usage love Cotton

Linen fiber is made from flax and is another natural fiber  that is popular because of its wide variety of usage. Linen is a bast fiber, which means it was removed from the plants stem or leafy parts. This fiber has a very crisp, hard and cool feel to it. Similar to cotton, linen yarns are manufactured through various processes that can result in vastly different appearances. Linen is labor-intensive to manufacture, but when it is made into garments, it is valued for its exceptional coolness and freshness in hot weather.

The most prevalent protein fiber is wool, which comes from the fleece of a sheep. Wool has few very distinguished qualities that separate it from any other fiber. The natural crimp that creates a springy look as well as its roundness sets wool apart from other natural fabrics. Wool is also very resilient, making it easy to maintain any finish. Since wool is a natural fiber is does contain small amounts of fat, sodium and calcium. Wool also absorbs water and moisture very easily as well as sound, which can be great for use in a sound studio. Wool is great for the use of firefighter gear or other special garments because it has a natural high heat resistance. Many items such as blankets, jackets, special garments, carpeting, and insulation, all these qualities makes wool so special and distinguished.

Natural fibers are very environmentally friendly and comfortable on the human skin. These fibers can be spun into filaments, rope, or thread, as well as being made into sheets to make paper products. There are many types of natural fibers out there to work with, whether its for a new pair of jeans or a great wool rug, you will be able to find one that works for you best.